Chief Systems Engineer / Technical Lead – Advanced Defence Systems

Electus Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Private healthcare

Pension

Job summary

Electus Recruitment Solutions is seeking a Chief Systems Engineer or senior Technical Lead to own engineering development from concept through to prototype and demonstrator for a London-based defence technology venture.

This on-site, permanent role defines system architecture, leads a multidisciplinary team across mechanical, electrical, electronic and software engineering, and drives verification, testing and delivery, with an equity opportunity and competitive benefits. Salary £85,000–£100,000.

Qualifications

• Significant experience developing complex products or systems in defence, aerospace or similar.
• Hands-on engineering leadership with concept-to-demonstrator delivery.
• Chartered Engineer or equivalent advanced qualification.

Responsibilities

• Take technical ownership from concept to prototype and demonstrator.
• Define system architecture, technical requirements and roadmaps.
• Lead multidisciplinary design reviews and system-level decisions.
• Coordinate mechanical, electrical, electronic and software engineering.
• Define verification, validation and testing strategies.
• Communicate progress, risks and priorities to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Requirements definition

System architecture

Integration & verification

Cross-functional leadership

Technical communication

Problem solving

Independent work

Defence tech

Education

Chartered Engineer

Tools

MBSE tools

Job description

Chief Systems Engineer / Technical Lead – Advanced Defence Systems
Salary: £85,000–£100,000 plus equity opportunity and benefits
Location: London
Working arrangement: Full-time, permanent, office-based, five days per week

The Opportunity

Electus Recruitment Solutions is supporting an ambitious, investment-backed defence technology venture establishing a new engineering and innovation capability in London. The business is developing advanced defence technologies and is seeking an experienced Chief Systems Engineer or senior technical leader to take ownership of engineering development from early-stage concept through to prototype and demonstrator. This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping a growing engineering capability, influencing technical strategy and delivering complex technology in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.

The Role

As the senior technical authority, you will define the engineering approach, establish the system architecture and lead hands‑on technical development across a multidisciplinary engineering team. Working across the full development lifecycle, you will translate capability objectives into engineering requirements, guide design decisions and drive system integration, verification and testing. This is a practical engineering leadership position suited to someone who combines strong systems engineering expertise with direct experience of developing complex products and technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Take technical ownership of engineering development from concept through to prototype and demonstrator.
• Define system architecture, technical requirements and engineering development roadmaps.
• Lead multidisciplinary design reviews, technical assessments and system‑level decisions.
• Coordinate mechanical, electrical, electronic and software engineering activities.
• Establish systems engineering processes, technical documentation and design assurance practices.
• Define verification and validation strategies and oversee integration and testing.
• Identify technical risks, engineering constraints and development dependencies.
• Provide hands‑on technical leadership to engineers and external specialist partners.
• Communicate technical progress, risks and priorities to senior stakeholders.
• Help establish the engineering capability required to support future development phases.
• Significant experience developing complex products or systems within defence, aerospace or a similarly demanding engineering environment.
• Demonstrable involvement in taking a technology from early concept through detailed development to prototype or demonstrator.
• Strong systems engineering expertise encompassing requirements definition, system architecture, integration and verification.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and making complex technical decisions.
• A hands‑on approach to engineering development, beyond programme management or technical governance alone.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and technical communication skills.
• The ability to work independently, take ownership and deliver results in an evolving organisation.
• Background in complex weapons, missile systems, guided weapons or other advanced defence technologies.
• Experience progressing research and development programmes through multiple Technology Readiness Levels.
• Previous experience within a technology start‑up, specialist engineering organisation or advanced research environment.
• Familiarity with model‑based systems engineering and requirements or architecture tools.
• Experience planning and delivering prototype integration, testing and technical demonstrations.
• Chartered Engineer status or an advanced qualification in a relevant engineering discipline.

The Opportunity and Package

• Equity: Opportunity to participate in an equity package
• Benefits: Private healthcare and pension.
• Location: London, with five days per week on-site.
• Employment: Permanent, full‑time.

Joining during the formative stages of the engineering operation, you will have significant influence over technical direction, development priorities and the establishment of a new engineering capability. This role will appeal to an established Chief Engineer, Principal Systems Engineer, Systems Architect or Technical Lead seeking greater technical ownership and the opportunity to turn ambitious engineering concepts into demonstrable results.